Happy Monday Morning!

So right as I started getting better last week, Christopher started getting sick. Poor guy. Anyway, finally today we are BOTH feeling better so hopefully we will stay healthy for a bit. Our weekend was a super low key one. I made a second batch of the chicken soup and we ate on that most of the weekend and watched lots of movies snuggled together on the couch.

Speaking of movies we watched… we saw Abduction and thought it was hilarious. I mean, it’s not supposed to be funny and maybe it was just the cold medicine we were taking, but oh my, it was funny. Terrible acting and even the plot was pretty questionable. We actually attempted to keep count of the number of times Taylor Lautner looked smolderingly into the camera. It was a lot. And we laughed A LOT.

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On a totally unrelated note… our neighbor texted me a photo from the last time we were all together and it was pretty precious so I thought I’d share it with you guys.

Oh yeah, three kids piled on for horsey back rides!

Sorry this is all over the place. I’m updating quickly while Will finishes his breakfast and while Mal is happily in her bouncy seat. This moment won’t last long, ha! Hope you guys had a good weekend!

A night spent with some of the people I love best

Heads up, this post will go from sad to silly to thoughtful really quickly. I’m kind of all over the place right now.

This morning 2 police officers were shot in my city, 22 children and 1 adult were injured by a man wielding a knife in my old home country, and 20 children and 6 adults were murdered by a man in CT. I have spent much of today grieving the loss of lives I have never known. Tonight I was surrounded with some of the people I love best and I am thankful for the time we have together. My heart and prayers truly go out to those who grieve the loss of loved ones this Christmas season.

Blessed to have friends like these

Twas the week before Christmas and right in our house, four men were snuggled together on a couch. The snickerdoodles were nibbled by Matthew with care which Jacob hoped he would soon share. Tony was nestled all snug by Christopher’s head while visions of Santa Claus danced in their heads…

Love those sweet little ones

Yesterday I talked about how sometimes life happens and things are hard, but that life moves on. I talked about how important it is to be surrounded with people who can just be there for you. I was talking about the previous night when I wrote that, but it is so true for today as well. Today was a day full of tragedy and grief and yet it ended surrounded with people I love and for that I am grateful.

Christmas party and Christmas play!

Last night we had our Christmas party with the teens. It was actually a heavy night full of hard conversations because truthfully… life happens. Sometimes someone you love passes away. Sometimes someone you love makes terrible choices. And sometimes you just need a hand to hold and an ear to listen. I am thankful that I am able to be part of these girls’ lives. And despite the tears and heartache, there was laughter and silliness. Because while life happens, life also moves on. And being surrounded with people who love you is a great first step.

I love these girls

And I love being married to this guy.

And I love my Panda hat and gloves. And that Anna was so stoked to be in this photo with me.

In other news… Will had a Christmas play earlier this week. It was precious because he got to be Santa!!

Um, hello cute factor!

A couple of the younger kids started bawling during the play and I have to admit it was kind of hilarious. I mean, they are just so cute and pitiful when they are so sad. Poor kids must’ve been so frightened to be in front of all those strangers.

And I’ll leave you with this last bit of cuteness… Santa yawning mid play. SO cute!

Love me some Christmastime!